Sermon on Church of Christ: Church Government
Categories: Sermon Outlines, Topical Sermon OutlinesINTRODUCTION:
A. In our series of studies on church leadership, there is a very critical item that needs to be discussed and understood, and that is “How is the church to be governed?”
1. What role do the elders, deacons, and other leaders in the church play with regard to church government?
2. What are their responsibilities? What are their limitations?
B. The denominations of our world today are ruled by their ecclesiastical forms of government.
1. They have ignored the head of the church and have assumed the right of self-government.
2. They confess with the mouth that Christ has “all authority” but their heart is far from it and is set on a denominational form of government.
3. Therefore, we hear much of synods, presbyteries, councils, general assemblies and conferences.
4. In these delegations men legislate rules and laws to govern their various denominations.
C. Of course this power to legislate was never given to any group of uninspired men.
1. Man does not have the right to change God’s law concerning salvation, worship, homosexuality, etc.
2. Any who would do such is in rebellion against God
3. Christ’s will is law and rebellion against it is treason!
DISCUSSION:
A. HOW IS THE CHURCH TO BE GOVERNED?
1. To answer this question we must first realize what our authority is and is not in religion
2. The religion of our parents is not our authority in governing the church
a. In Galatians 1:14, Paul said he was zealous in the Jewish traditions – but he later realized that was not his authority
b. 1 Peter 1:18 … we are not governed by the way that dad and mom did it
c. Acts 7:51 … many blindly follow their parents in religious error
d. Matthew 10:37
3. Man’s conscience is not to be our authority in governing the church
a. Proverbs 14:12
b. Acts 23:1 … Paul was sincere, but he was sincerely wrong before he became a Christian
c. Acts 26:9-11
4. The decision of the majority is not to be our authority in governing the church
a. Exodus 23:2
b. Matthew 7:13-14 … the majority is going the wrong way
c. Acts 4:19-20
5. THE WORD OF GOD IS TO BE OUR AUTHORITY IN GOVERNING THE CHURCH
a. 2 Peter 1:21 … the scriptures came from God – not man
b. 2 Timothy 3:16
c. John 12:48
6. This is a must for the leaders in the church to comprehend
B. THE LORD’S CHURCH IS A MONARCHY IN ITS GOVERNMENT
1. Christ is the supreme head of the church
a. Colossians 1:18
b. Ephesians 1:22-23
c. At the transfiguration, the Father said, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased, hear ye Him” (Matthew 17:5).
d. Jesus said, “All authority has been given me in heaven and on earth” (Matthew 28:18).
2. Jesus, then, promised to send the apostles the Holy Spirit, who was to teach them all things, and bring all that Jesus had taught them to their remembrance
a. John 14:26
b. John 15:26-27
c. Matthew 16:19
3. Thus, the authority to govern the church lay at the feet of Jesus and His apostles, and Jesus never delegated this authority to any than the apostles.
4. The leaders in the church today need to understand and abide by this truth
C. IN CHURCH GOVERNMENT WE MUST UNDERSTAND THE AUTONOMOUS NATURE OF THE CHURCH
1. In speaking of the autonomy of the church we mean the autonomy of the local church or congregation.
a. Autonomy is defined as “right of self-government; a self-governing state; and independent body.”
1) In the first century each congregation was such.
2) Each was independent of one another
3) No local congregation had control or authority over another
b. Each congregation was free and independent, under the teaching of Jesus and the apostles, to govern itself, carry on its own work, and manage its own affairs.
c. All congregations had the same head, foundation, and mission; each preached the same gospel, and constituted one body.
d. BUT each was independent to direct its own work.
2. There is great wisdom seen in this arrangement for the Lord’s churches.
a. If one becomes corrupted in doctrine or affected by evil practices, other churches would not be so effected.
b. If a window is made up of one large pane – a break injures the entire pane.
1) But if a window is made up of several panes, it is not so bad to break one.
2) And so it is that the independence of the churches is a protection for each one.
3. This simple, organization, however, failed to satisfy many.
a. Hence, they made changes whereby their unchristian aspirations for ecclesiastical lordship could be realized.
b. History records the first great departure from the truth came in the system of church government
4. Leaders of a congregation must realize that they have no jurisdiction in any other congregation – this is for the protection of each congregation
D. ELDERS PLAY A PART IN GOVERNING THE CHURCH
1. The Bible teaches that there are two elders in every congregation … Titus 1:5
2. These men are also know as bishops, shepherds, pastors and overseers
3. The duties of the elders are not to make laws, but to see that God’s law is carried out
a. The are overseers
b. They are shepherds
4. It is the duty of the elders to:
a. Take heed unto themselves and the church, and to feed the church (Acts 20:28)
b. Help the weak (Acts 20:35)
c. Exhort in sound doctrine and to convict those who are not sound in doctrine (Tit. 1:9)
d. Encourage the faint hearted and be longsuffering (1 Th. 5:14)
e. Exercise the oversight without out lording over the flock (1 Peter 5:2)
f. Be examples to the flock (1 Peter 5:3)
g. Visit the sick (James 5:14)
h. Watch in behalf of the souls of the members (Hebrews 13:17).
E. THE DEACONS PLAY A PART IN GOVERNING THE CHURCH
1. The deacons play a part in governing the church in that they are the elders right hand men.
2. Deacons are servants, they are not mini elders, and they do not have the authority of the elders
a. Any authority they might have has been delegated to them by the elders, of course, in keeping with Scripture
b. Deacons are to help the elders, give counsel at times, and be an encourager
CONCLUSION:
The bottom line concerning the governing of the church is to understand that God’s law is the controlling factor of the leadership of the church – ABIDE BY GOD’S LAW!!!